Species in News – 12th April 2025

New Damselfly Species

In News: A new species of damselfly, Euphaea wayanadensis, has been discovered in the Wayanad region of the Western Ghats in Kerala, India. This discovery marks Kerala’s 191st recorded odonate species and the 223rd for the Western Ghats. 

Key Features

• • Classification: Belongs to the Euphaeidae family, commonly known as gossamerwings.

• Morphological Features:
• • Longer black patch on the hind wings compared to related species.
  • Males have broader and uninterrupted humeral and antehumeral stripes.
  • The male genital vesicle exhibits unique structural traits.
• Habitat and Distribution: Prefers fast-flowing streams with rocky beds and aquatic vegetation, thriving in evergreen and semi-evergreen forests along stream banks. It is active throughout the year except during the dry months of March and April.
• Conservation Status: Due to its limited range and dependence on pristine freshwater ecosystems, it is vulnerable to habitat degradation and climate change.

Binturong

In News: A rare Binturong (also known as a bearcat) has been spotted in the Narang Wari Village Reserve Forest (VRF), located in the buffer zone of Balpakram National Park in Meghalaya’s Garo Hills. This sighting was captured on a camera trap set up by the Wildlife Trust of India’s Garo Green Spine project team. Here are some key details about the Binturong and its sighting:

About Binturong

• • Classification: The Binturong is the largest member of the civet family (Viverridae) and is known for its unique physical features, including long, shaggy fur and a prehensile tail.

• Physical Features:

• • Head and Body Length: 60–95 cm.

• • Tail Length: 55–90 cm.

• • Weight: 9–14 kg.

• • Fur: Long, shaggy, and generally black with whitish hairs.

• Habitat and Distribution: Found in dense tropical forests from northeast India to Southeast Asia, including Nepal, Bhutan, Myanmar, Thailand, Vietnam, Laos, Cambodia, and Indonesia (Sumatra, Java, and Borneo).
• Behavior: Primarily arboreal, nocturnal, and crepuscular, using its prehensile tail for climbing and balance.

Conservation Status

• IUCN Status: Classified as Vulnerable due to habitat loss, degradation, snaring, the pet trade, and use in traditional medicine.
• Legal Protection: Protected under Schedule I of the Indian Wildlife Protection Act, 1972, and listed in Appendix III of CITES.

Sighting and Conservation Efforts

• The sighting in Meghalaya highlights the region’s biodiversity and emphasizes the need for conservation. The Wildlife Trust of India, along with partners, aims to establish an unbroken wilderness corridor connecting key protected areas in the Garo Hills.

Theobaldius konkanensis

In News:  Theobaldius konkanensis is a newly discovered species of land snail named after the Konkan region in Maharashtra, India. This snail is endemic to the northern Western Ghats, a biodiversity hotspot that remains largely understudied. Here are some key features and details about this species:

Key Features

• Shell Morphology: The snail has a thick, conoidally depressed shell with an elevated spire. It features a yellowish-brown shell with black striations, a distinct apertural notch, and an operculum adorned with raised whorls and short spines.
• Unique Traits: The shell is slightly flattened with a raised center, and near the snail’s neck, there is a triangular-shaped outline with a raised edge and tiny spines.
• Habitat: Found in tropical evergreen and semi-evergreen forests at altitudes between 80 to 240 meters above sea level.
• Activity: Active both day and night, particularly under shaded forest canopies.

• Conservation Significance: The species highlights the ecological richness of the Konkan region and underscores the need for further research and conservation efforts to protect its habitat.

 Dire Wolf

In News: The recent announcement by Colossal Biosciences that they have “brought back” the dire wolf has sparked both excitement and skepticism within the scientific community. While the company claims to have successfully produced three pups with dire wolf traits, many experts argue that these animals are not truly dire wolves but rather genetically modified gray wolves.

Key Points

• Methodology: Colossal Biosciences used ancient DNA from dire wolf fossils to modify the genetic makeup of gray wolves, the closest living relatives of dire wolves. They employed CRISPR gene editing to introduce dire wolf traits into gray wolf cells, which were then cloned and implanted into surrogate dog mothers.
• Physical Traits: The resulting pups, named Romulus, Remus, and Khaleesi, exhibit some characteristics of dire wolves, such as larger body size and thicker, lighter-colored coats. However, they are genetically 99.9% gray wolf.
• Scientific Debate: The scientific community is divided on whether these pups can be considered “de-extincted” dire wolves. Critics argue that while they may resemble dire wolves superficially, they lack the full genetic and ecological characteristics of the extinct species.
• Conservation Implications: Despite the controversy, this achievement highlights the potential of genetic engineering for conservation efforts, particularly for species with low genetic diversity.

Indian Giant Flying Squirrel

In News: The recent sighting of an Indian giant flying squirrel in Ranikhet, a hill station in Uttarakhand’s Almora district, has generated excitement among naturalists and locals. This sighting is particularly notable as it marks the first recorded appearance of this species in the area. Here are some key points about this event:

Key Points

• Species Overview: The Indian giant flying squirrel (Petaurista philippensis) is one of the largest flying squirrels in the world, known for its impressive gliding abilities and nocturnal habits.
• Habitat and Distribution: These squirrels are found in tropical and subtropical forests across India, including the Western Ghats and parts of the Himalayas. They are arboreal, preferring dense forests with tall trees.
• Conservation Status: The species is listed as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List, but its habitat is threatened by deforestation and urbanization.
• Sighting in Ranikhet: The sighting in Ranikhet is significant as it indicates the presence of suitable habitat for this species in the region. Locals have welcomed the sighting as a good omen, highlighting the cultural and ecological importance of such wildlife encounters.

Conservation Implications

• The sighting underscores the need for continued conservation efforts to protect the habitats of flying squirrels in Uttarakhand. The state is home to five species of flying squirrels, including the Indian giant flying squirrel, and faces challenges such as deforestation and urbanization that threaten these species’ habitats.

Sea lions

In News: In recent weeks, there have been several incidents of sea lions attacking beachgoers in Southern California, particularly along a 70-mile stretch of coastline. These attacks are attributed to a surge in domoic acid toxicosis, a neurological disorder caused by toxic algal blooms, commonly known as red tide.

Key Points

• Cause of Aggression: Sea lions are becoming aggressive due to domoic acid poisoning, which they ingest through contaminated fish like anchovies and sardines. This toxin causes disorientation, seizures, and abnormal behavior in affected animals.
• Incidents: Notable incidents include an attack on a surfer, RJ LaMendola, who was bitten and dragged into the water by a disoriented sea lion near Los Angeles. Another incident involved a 15-year-old girl, Phoebe Beltran, who was repeatedly bitten during a swim test in Long Beach.
• Conservation Efforts: The Marine Mammal Care Center in Los Angeles has seen a significant increase in sick sea lions, with over 195 treated between February and March, compared to just 50 during the same period last year.
• Impact of Climate Change: The frequency and severity of these algal blooms are linked to climate change, which can exacerbate ocean conditions conducive to such blooms.

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